Chief Academic Officer

Colorado State University•Denver, CO

4d•$260,000 - $290,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the senior academic officer of the Colorado State University System and as a key member of the Chancellor’s executive leadership team. The CAO provides strategic leadership for academic affairs, student success, educational innovation, workforce development, and academic policy across the System’s institutions. The role is the principal advisor to the Chancellor and Board of Governors on academic matters and helps advance System priorities, collaboration among institutions, and responses to Colorado’s evolving educational and workforce needs. The CAO works with university provosts, faculty, student affairs and enrollment leaders, and external partners to promote educational excellence, strengthen student outcomes, and support long-term priorities. The role identifies opportunities for System-wide collaboration while respecting each institution’s distinct mission. The CAO is the primary liaison to the Colorado Department of Higher Education and leads on academic quality, accreditation, transfer and articulation, institutional effectiveness, academic policy, educational technology, and emerging issues in higher education. The successful candidate will be eligible for appointment with tenure at one of the System’s universities, subject to institutional and departmental review and approval. The position provides System and statewide leadership for academic excellence, academic and curricular planning, educational innovation, student success, workforce and talent development, instructional excellence, and partnerships serving Colorado communities and the economy. The CAO is expected to build trust, foster collaboration, and align institutional priorities around shared goals, leading through influence rather than direct authority. The role is fully in person at the System’s downtown Denver offices, with routine travel to the Pueblo and Fort Collins campuses, Board of Governors meetings around the state, and relevant conferences. The position is expected to collaboratively supervise several senior-level administrators.

Requirements

Currently hold, or have previously held, a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or higher at an accredited institution, with academic credentials and scholarly achievement sufficient for tenure appointment at Colorado State University or Colorado State University Pueblo.
At least five years of progressive senior leadership experience in higher education, such as associate dean or dean, vice or associate provost, provost, vice president, or a comparable executive academic leadership role.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing academic strategic initiatives, which may involve undergraduate student success, academic program development and prioritization, transfer initiatives, K-12 partnerships, or workforce development.
Experience with accreditation, academic quality assurance, and institutional effectiveness processes.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations or multi-unit initiatives.
Evidence of effective communication and relationship-building with internal and external stakeholders.
At least two years supervising professional staff within a postsecondary academic unit.
Collaborative, data-informed leadership style and ability to incorporate innovative and strategic systems and design thinking into projects.
Strong political judgment in a state institution environment; strong personal academic strengths; excellent communication skills; and a record of transparency, integrity, and sound judgment.
Commitment to student success, shared governance, access to academic excellence, respect for institutional diversity, and the land-grant tradition of service.
Ability to lead through influence, build relationships among diverse constituencies, and align institutional priorities around shared goals.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in a public higher education system and/or multi-campus environment.
Experience working with governing boards.
Experience with state higher education policy and legislative relations.
Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, funding sources, and resources.
Demonstrated experience and responsibility for analyzing, assessing, and facilitating implementation of state and/or federal higher education policy.
Academic record and scholarly accomplishment consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor.
Demonstrated success leading through influence, consensus-building, and collaboration across decentralized organizations or multi-stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

Staff the Board of Governors Academic and Student Affairs Committee, organizing campus presentations and reports, ensuring materials are timely and accurate, and generally presenting reports orally at Board meetings.
Work with campuses, primarily through provost offices, to prepare academic reports, curricular proposals, and academic policy changes for Board information or approval; coordinate report formats and content and vet items requiring Board approval with General Counsel.
Serve as the primary liaison with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, attend Colorado Commission on Higher Education meetings, participate in the General Education Council and Academic Council, and support campuses and System staff in their dealings with the department.
Assist with legislative matters involving academic and student affairs policy, including monitoring statutory initiatives, analyzing likely impacts, developing strategies and positions, and informing the Board about relevant legislation or referenda.
Advance System-wide student success and educational attainment priorities, including persistence, completion, belonging, transfer, post-graduation success, and equitable educational outcomes, using evidence and data-informed decision-making.
Coordinate regular meetings and communities of practice among campus leaders in academic and student affairs, including areas such as enrollment and admissions, student affairs, student success, and online education.
Monitor emerging higher education trends and help the System respond to issues such as artificial intelligence, fraudulent students, educational technology, demographic shifts, workforce needs, and public policy developments.
Advise the Chancellor, Board of Governors, and senior System colleagues on major local, national, and international academic and student affairs issues.
Lead and coordinate academic and curricular planning, educational innovation, student success, workforce and talent development, instructional excellence, and partnerships across the System.
Build productive relationships among diverse constituencies and align institutional priorities around shared System and statewide goals.